Dear Ladies, I have been thinking about how many heaven-born and illustrious spirits there have been, how truly excellent, both ancient and modern, who have written those various fables which, in reading them, have given you so much pleasure. You are aware, I am certain, that they were motivated to write for no other reason than to provide you with entertainment, comfort, and consolation. Such is my opinion, or rather my certainty, pleasant and adorable as you all are, that you will not now be angry if I, as your good servant, should publish in your name the fables and enigmas of the ingenious Messer Gioanfrancesco Straparola da Caravaggio, which he presents with so much learning and elegance. Even if the contents of his tales do not bring to your ears the same pleasure and delight to which you’re accustomed, please don’t condemn him for that reason and thrust him aside in rejection, but accept him with joyful faces as you have accepted the others. As you read him, keep in mind the variety of events and the subtlety of wit, for at the least, you will derive no small instruction from his pages.
Moreover, you must not over-scrutinize our author’s poor and negligent style, because, after all, he wrote his fables, not as he wished to write them, but as he heard them from the ladies who told them, neither adding nor taking anything away. So if you find anything amiss or lacking in any respect, accuse him not who laboured to the best of his power and knowledge, but blame me who has published these works against his will. Accept, therefore, with cheerful looks this little gift from your servant, who, if he learns (as he hopes to) that his offering has pleased you all, will do his best in the future to lay before you other things which may prove to be even more to your delectation and contentment. Be happy and remember me!
From Venice on the XIth day of January, MDLI